What is the prognosis and life expectancy for a child with ALD?

The onset of childhood cerebral ALD is usually between ages four and ten years. The prognosis is generally poor, particularly if the disease is not correctly diagnosed before significant symptoms develop. Many of these children die within one and ten years of the onset of symptoms. There are some treatment options (Lorenzo’s oil and stem cell transplants) that may alter this prognosis, but they are not guarantees.